ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Consumer advocate Clark Howard revealed to listeners of his radio show on Wednesday that he has prostate cancer .

Radio show host Clark Howard says doctors diagnosed him with prostate cancer in its early stages .

Howard is one of the best-known consumer experts in the country . He has a nationally syndicated radio show and a new weekend show on CNN sister network HLN . He also has written several books on consumer issues , including two that made The New York Times best-sellers list .

`` I just wanted to give it to you right form the horse 's mouth , what 's going on with me , '' Howard , 53 , told listeners Wednesday during this radio show .

The cancer was detected recently in its early stages , he said . His doctors had monitored his health for about 2 1/2 years after a routine test came came back with unusual results . The test was a Prostate-Specific Antigen -LRB- PSA -RRB- test to measure antigen , substances that stimulate an immune response in the body .

If PSA levels are up , the chances of prostate cancer rise , and Howard 's levels were such that his doctor gave him PSA tests every 90 days to monitor antigen levels .

He also had biopsies to test for cancer . The fourth and most recent biopsy found a `` very , very small isolated pocket of cancer , '' Howard said .

`` Prostate cancer caught early is not a walk in the park , but is not really that big a deal , '' Howard said . `` I just wanted to clear the air because rumors take on a life of their own . ''

According to the American Cancer Society , one in six men will get prostate cancer in their lifetimes , and one in 35 will die of the disease .

Although its numbers are not yet complete for 2008 , the organization estimated that during that year , there were about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States and about 28,660 men died from the disease .

Among famous men who have been treated for prostate cancer are former Secretary of State Colin Powell , former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole , former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and actor Robert De Niro .

There are various options for treating prostate cancer , all with different approaches . The American Cancer Society recommends considering things such as age , other serious health problems , stage of the cancer and side effects of treatment when selecting a method of treatment .

Howard said his main point in talking about his diagnosis was to increase awareness among men .

`` Guys put themselves in danger by not going to the doctor , '' he said .

He spoke to female listeners as well as the men .

`` Be a nag . Get your guy in to see the doctor , especially if you 're 40 and up , '' he said .

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The Atlanta-based consumer advocate makes announcement on radio show

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`` I just wanted to give it to you right form the horse 's mouth , '' Howard says

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Biopsy reveals `` small , isolated pocket of cancer '' in early stages , he says

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The radio show host , best-selling author tells women to urge men to get check-ups